Church Street Murals Project in Toronto

New reason to walk around Church Street

The Village just became even more colourful, thanks to the new Church Street Murals Project now offering great murals to be admired along Church Street. The last one was launched on June 21, 2014, is a creation by muralist John Kune, the artist who did most of the murals featured in the ISLINGTON VILLAGE Mural Stroll (Walk #2 in Toronto Urban Strolls 1).

One of the volunteers who helped with the project just happens to be my ex-neighbour Sarah Levinson. It's a small world! Christiano De Araujo, who was in charge of the team who executed John Kune's vision on that end of the murals circuit, is also the artist responsible for the beautiful mural Bathhouse Raids on the other end (on the south wall of The Marquis at Church and Granby). It refers to the infamous bathhouse raids of April 1983.

Bathhouse Raids by Christiano De Araujo

I recommend you start your visit with Christiano's mural. It is located just across from two other murals and Bulldog Coffee, a shop praised by serious coffee drinkers (one block south of Carlton).

Then walk northbound on Church to enter Church-Wellesley Village. Lift your nose at the south-west corner of Carlton and Church to see the lion carved in the red stone. The Maple Leaf Loblaws is located on the north-west corner (worth a visit, it is huge!). Along the way, marvel at the way advertisers have adapted their billboards to appeal to the gay community.

    

Crews and Tangos, the next stop on the Murals circuit, is a fixture in the Village and Toronto's #1 Drag Barat (508 Church Street). I think its make-over suits it perfectly! 

On the north-west corner of Church and Wellesley is another cluster of murals. On Wellesley Street, you'll see the colourful strips of colours on the facade of the Barber Shop. In the small alley just west of the shop, are three more murals.  

It's too bad this alley is used by the local businesses to store their garbage, which unfortunately makes it smelly, because there are many amusing details to observe.

There's one more to see (around the corner off the alley). Then, cross the street to access Cawthra Park for the big finale on the north wall of the 519 Community Centre by the lovely square newly pavement adorned the centre on both sides, and wooden stage. There's a cute little playground with splash pad on the south side of the park. Keep walking and you'll see the Aids Memorial. 

The making of

Wondering how such big murals are done? My friend Sarah explained to me that they first primed the wall, then, with the help of a giant projector, they projected John Kuna's image on the wall and traced it. Many volunteers then each worked on a section, under the supervision of Christiano De Araujo.

It is customary in large projects like this that artisans take some liberties with the original design... (Don' worry Sarah, your secret is safe with me.)  

The original illustration by John Kune